délabores

Délabores is a neologism used in some design theory and critical discourse to describe the practice of removing unnecessary elaboration from artifacts, processes, or communications in order to improve clarity, usability, and efficiency. The term is not widely standardized in scholarly references, but it is employed by designers and commentators to signal a deliberate move toward minimalism and functional conciseness.

Etymology and scope: the coinage blends the prefix de- with elaborer (to elaborate), suggesting a turning away from excessive detail toward essential structure. It is applied across disciplines such as graphic design, user experience, information architecture, rhetoric, and organizational design, where the goal is to streamline elements without sacrificing core purpose or meaning.

Principles and methods: délaborate practices prioritize economy of means, cognitive load reduction, and task-focused design. Common methods include feature auditing, user task analysis, progressive disclosure, modular architectures, and style guides that constrain ornamentation. The approach emphasizes iterative testing and measurement to ensure that removals do not compromise quality or functionality.

History and reception: the term appeared sporadically in online design criticism and philosophy of technology discussions during the 2010s and 2020s. It is generally used as a descriptive concept rather than a formal framework, with supporters arguing that délaboration can yield more inclusive and reliable experiences, while critics caution against oversimplification and the risk of erasing nuance or richness.

See also: minimalism, simplification, refactoring, user-centered design.

Notes on usage: because délaboré is not an established term in all communities, readers should interpret it within the specific context of a critique or design practice in which it appears.